The 2016/17 season is the last time Chelsea tasted Premier League glory, and a performance at the Etihad was a turning point for the Blues.
Chelsea’s most recent league outing has brought up some old feelings.
While the match ended all square, it was a statement performance from 10-man Chelsea against Arsenal that proved this side can compete at the very top of the table.
The next manager to go up against Enzo Maresca, Daniel Farke, backs Chelsea to challenge for the title after recent displays.
What made Chelsea vs Leeds such a fierce rivalry?
“Part of the rivalry was definitely the north-south divide. We were the gritty Yorkshire team and they were the fashionable boys from the Kings Road. Both teams were full of terrific players and a few feisty characters. It got personal during the games.”
Eddie Gray (Leeds 1966-83)
“We knew they were aggrieved. After that it turned into a great rivalry between two very good sides. There was no love lost and the the best example I can give of that was the 1970 FA Cup final – especially the first game, which was one of the fiercest matches I have played in. Nobody held back.”
Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris (Chelsea 1962-80)
“They didn’t intimidate us. That’s why they hated us. There was no other club on the planet we would enjoy beating so much.”
Peter Osgood (Chelsea 1964-74)
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But that game against Man City nine years ago was more than just a statement of title credentials — it was a warning that Chelsea were the team to beat that year.
Man City lost their heads against a dominant Chelsea
Chelsea went one goal down at the Etihad that day, but came back to record a statement win. The game ended 3-1, but four Blues were on the scoresheet.
Gary Cahill spilled the ball into his own net before the break, giving the home side the lead. Chelsea came out reinvigorated for the second half, with Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard on target to grab all three points.
READ MORE:Antonio Conte’s Eden Hazard gamble paid off on this day eight years ago, it soon backfired
The Belgian was instrumental, as you would expect, delivering the killing blow with an injury-time breakaway goal.
The real drama came right at the death, when City had two players sent off after a scuffle broke out. Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho couldn’t keep their emotions in check. It was pandemonium.
Fernandinho gets sent off against Chelsea
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
But the frustration was warranted after being embarrassed at their home ground.
That was Chelsea’s breakout performance
It feels strange to say, as Chelsea were on a seven-game win streak, but this really felt like Antonio Conte’s moment.
Chelsea were ahead of City by just one point after 13 games, and talk of a ‘new manager bounce’ was preventing many from getting carried away with regards to their title ambitions.
Who is Chelsea’s best manager of the past decade? 👀
🚨🚨| Chelsea have had 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 different managers in just 8 years:
▪️Antonio Conte – 2016
▪️Maurizio Sarri – 2018
▪️Frank Lampard – 2019
▪️Thomas Tuchel – 2021
▪️Graham Potter – 2022
▪️Frank Lampard – 2023 (interim)
▪️Mauricio Pochettino – 2023 pic.twitter.com/enXca4buaa
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 21, 2024
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Pep Guardiola also arrived in the Premier League that summer, which had many pegging City as title favourites, until Chelsea beat them in such convincing fashion.
It’s not just a narrative — Chelsea stretched their lead in the standings and weren’t challenged for top spot for the rest of the season.
Just goes to show what a big-game performance can do for a side. Hopefully, this season’s iteration of the Blues can kick on in similar fashion after a huge week.